I first saw The Who's rock opera Tommy in 1971, when it was only 2 years old. It got a lot of mileage from the counterculture around it—but I thought the show (a university production) was a big, fat, silly mess, bustin' out all over like a little kid and latching on to every single angle it could find to justify its novelty.
But if hindsight is 20/20, then San Diego Repertory Theatre has better than perfect vision. It's mounted The Who's Tommy, a 1993 adaptation by The Who's Pete Townshend and former La Jolla Playhouse artistic director Des McAnuff, as its 36th-season opener—and an extraordinarily disciplined cast and technically superior work of art has surfaced where a bunch of ragtag college kids once stood.
B.Slade is absolutely first-rate as Tommy Walker, struck deaf, dumb and blind through a fatal lovers' quarrel he witnesses, only to reinvent himself as a pinball champion and leader of a messianic cult. Tommy will lose his followers as he exhorts them to alter their states of consciousness from within—but “Listening to You,” the finale, is an iconic testament to his vindication.
Director Sam Woodhouse, choreographer Javier Velasco and music director Steve Gunderson have mounted the best Rep entry I've seen in the eight years I've covered the group, thanks in no small measure to the tech crew's use of the playing surface and the outstanding performance of Davina van Dusen, who plays Tommy at age 10.
The show, staged in partnership with The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, plays through Aug. 14 at The Lyceum Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown. $42-$57. sdrep.org
Opening
Little Shop of Horrors: Seymour makes a Faustian bargain with a mean, green, man-eating plant to provide fresh meat in exchange for money, fame and the love of his life, Audrey. Produced by Cygnet Theatre Company, it opens in previews July 28 at The Old Town Theatre. $34- $59. cygnettheatre.org
Engaging Shaw: Charlotte Payne- Townsend sets to romancing the iconic playwright George Bernard Shaw—a job more complicated than any of his scripts. Opens in previews July 29 at The Old Globe Theatre's Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in Balboa Park. $29-$67. oldglobe.org
Now Playing
Body Awareness: While Phyllis and Joyce tackle their impasse about the work of a photographer friend, their adult son struggles to physically express himself. Produced by Ion Theatre Company, it runs through July 30 at BLK BOX @ 6th & Penn in Hillcrest. $10-$22. iontheatre.com
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: Dr. Horrible fights the good fight against the evil Captain Hammer for the love of a good woman. Produced by Chinese Pirate Productions, it runs through July 30 at 10th Avenue Theatre, Downtown. $20-$40. chinesepirateproductions.com Damn Yankees: Baseball fanatic Joe Boyd trades his soul to the devil for a chance to pitch in a pennant race against the Yankees. Produced by Vanguard Theatre, it runs through July 31 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Point Loma. $10-$15. vanguardsd.org
Poster Boys: Caroline struggles with the choices she's made to make it to the top of her field while remnants of an old heartbreak threaten to destroy everything she has worked to build. Through July 31 at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. $31-$33. diversionary.org
The Woolgatherer: Rose, a shy Philly dime-store sales clerk whose life centers around reveries and daydreams, meets up with rough and witty Cliff, who's as starved for love as Rose is. Produced by Ion Theater Company, it runs through July 31 at BLK BOX @ 6th & Penn in Hillcrest. $10-$22. iontheatre.com
Annie: A scrappy little girl in search of her parents wins everybody's hearts. Produced by Moonlight Stage Productions, it runs through Aug. 6 at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. $27-$50. moonlightstage.com
A Roman Holiday: Stacey's plan to make fiancé Michael jealous goes awry when her friend Nigel dons a dress and introduces himself as a German chef. Through Aug. 7 at Coronado Playhouse. $20-$25 without dinner, $50 with. coronadoplayhouse.com
Five-Course Love: Three actors play 15 characters that frequent a series of eateries in search of true romance. Through Aug. 7 at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach. $40-$50. northcoastrep.org
Moon over Buffalo: Buffalo rep actors George and Charlotte Hay open a can of worms over which is better, the stage or the cinema. Through Aug. 13 at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista. $8-$16. onstageplayhouse.org Wonder of the World: After discovering a shocking secret about her husband, Cass makes a mad dash for the life she thinks she missed out on. Through Aug. 21 at the Poway Performing Arts Center. $13-$15. powpac.org
Sleeping Beauty Wakes: When a father brings his sleeping daughter to a sleep-disorder clinic, the staff finds itself sharing her dream. Through Aug. 28 at the Mandell Weiss Theatre in La Jolla. $47 and up. lajollaplayhouse.org
miXtape: Generation X was torn between disillusionment and hope in this cavalcade of music from the 1980s. Produced by Lamb's Players Theatre, it runs through Sept. 4 at the Horton Grand Theatre, Downtown. $28-$58. lambsplayers.org
Amadeus: Composer Antonio Salieri throws up a series of roadblocks to sidetrack the career of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, his supposed archrival. Through Sept. 22 at The Old Globe Theatre's Lowell Davies Festival Theatre in Balboa Park. $29- $67. oldglobe.org
Much Ado about Nothing: While Beatrice and Benedick hide their infatuation beneath witty barbs, young love blossoms as Hero and Claudio race to the altar, with the wicked Don John conspiring to break up the wedding. Through Sept. 24 at The Old Globe Theatre's Lowell Davies Festival Theatre in Balboa Park. $29- $67. oldglobe.org
The Tempest: With the help of his spirit friend Ariel, the magician Prospero conjures up a shipwreck that restores his daughter to her rightful place in the Milan hierarchy. Through Sept. 25 at The Old Globe Theatre's Lowell Davies Festival Theatre in Balboa Park. $29-$67. oldglobe.org
Shotgun Wedding Anniversary: How else can a miserable 25-year marriage end but in murder? Presented by Mystery Cafe, it's ongoing at Imperial House restaurant in Bankers Hill. $59.50, including dinner. mysterycafe.net